【Standby Signal No. 1】Friday No. 8 typhoon signal? Heat slightly eases, strong winds and squalls increase.

The tropical cyclone in the South China Sea is gradually intensifying. The Hong Kong Observatory stated that it will issue the No. 1 standby signal on Thursday (2 July) morning. What citizens are most concerned about is: Will the No. 8 gale or storm signal be hoisted on Friday (3 July)?

Based on the current forecast, the chance of hoisting the No. 8 signal during the daytime on Friday is not high, but it cannot be completely ruled out. The critical period may be from late Friday to early Saturday, when local winds will be stronger and rain will become more frequent, especially in offshore and highland areas.

The Observatory said that the tropical cyclone currently in the central South China Sea will gradually intensify in the next one to two days and generally move toward Hainan Island and the Gulf of Tonkin area. Since the current forecast path does not show it heading directly towards the Pearl River Estuary, this is the main reason why the chance of the No. 8 signal is not high for now. However, the path and intensity of the tropical cyclone still have uncertainties. Once the system moves further north than expected, intensifies faster, or the gale-force wind zone comes closer to Hong Kong, the signal level may still be upgraded.

During the daytime on Thursday, Hong Kong will still be very hot, with temperatures ranging from 28 to 33 degrees Celsius, sunny intervals, and a few showers. Later, offshore winds will occasionally reach force 5.

By Friday, the weather will significantly deteriorate. The Observatory forecasts that Friday will be mainly cloudy with a few squally showers and thunderstorms, gradually increasing showers with heavier rain in some areas, and rough seas; temperatures will drop to 27 to 31 degrees Celsius, with east to southeast winds at force 5, occasionally force 6 offshore, and reaching force 7 in highlands later. In other words, the heat will ease somewhat, but it will not become cool, turning from "suffocating heat" to "rain and strong wind."

On Saturday, the rain will be more significant. The Observatory forecasts that Saturday will be cloudy with squally showers and thunderstorms, occasionally heavy rain, and rough seas; temperatures will further drop to 26 to 29 degrees Celsius, with south to southeast winds at force 4 to 5, initially force 6 offshore and force 7 in highlands.

At this stage, it is more likely that the No. 1 standby signal will be issued first, followed by the No. 3 strong wind signal depending on local wind conditions. As for the No. 8 gale or storm signal, based on current data, the chance is not high, but there is still suspense from late Friday to early Saturday. If citizens have plans for outlying islands, water activities, camping, or outdoor trips over the weekend, they should pay close attention to the latest weather information.